Konoha Village.
At the same yakiniku restaurant, but the people sitting around the grill were much fewer.
Sakura rested her chin on her hand: "Why do you think Sasuke defected from the village and joined the Akatsuki? Is revenge really that important to him?"
Ino sighed: "Sigh, we don't even know when exactly he joined the Akatsuki!"
Naruto beside them clenched his fists!
Jiraiya and Tsunade only told him about Sasuke defecting and joining the Akatsuki a few days ago when they really couldn't hide it anymore.
After learning about this, Naruto was both shocked and regretful.
He was shocked that Sasuke actually did such a thing, and regretful that he didn't discover it in time to stop it.
Shikamaru said: "Alright, let's not talk about these unhappy things today!"
Tenten immediately echoed: "Yeah, it's rare for everyone to gather together, let's not mention annoying things!"
Choji, Lee, Kiba and others started immediately, feasting heartily.
Naruto hurriedly mumbled: "Hey, wait for me!"
With Naruto joining, everyone scrambled for food with chopsticks and forks, as if returning to the days when they were still in the Ninja Academy.
After a whirlwind of eating, the ingredients on the table were mostly consumed.
Seeing there were leftovers, Tenten suddenly said: "If Shinji and the others were here, this meat would have been finished long ago!"
Ino wondered curiously: "What exactly are Shinji and the others busy with? Why haven't we seen them for a while?"
Tenten shrugged: "How would I know? I asked them out a few times, but they all said they were busy."
Sakura was somewhat worried: "Could it be because of Sasuke? Sasuke is an Uchiha. His leaving the village should also affect Shinji and the Konoha Military Police Force, right? Could Shinji and the others be planning to capture Sasuke?"
Picking his teeth, Shikamaru said: "Probably not. The Akatsuki is currently in full swing. The village shouldn't provoke them actively for the time being."
Choji complained: "With so many people missing, the yakiniku isn't as fragrant as before!"
Ino curled her lip: "Didn't see you eating any less!"
However, Choji's complaint still resonated with everyone.
In the past, every gathering required booking the largest private room, and everyone had to squeeze together to barely have enough seats.
Now with Sasuke defecting, and Shinji, Yakumo, Karin, Haku, Kimimaro, and Neji all declining with excuses, there were significantly fewer people.
Hinata said hesitantly: "Neji-niisan has been on a mission for a long time without any news. I'm getting a bit worried!"
Shino, who hadn't spoken much, said: "Indeed, something is not right."
Kiba sighed: "If you ask me, the whole village feels a bit wrong!"
In previous Ninja Wars, although Konoha suffered heavy casualties, everyone was just sad, that spirit was still there. But now Konoha, having lost the Ninja War, seemed to have had its spirit drained. Konoha ninjas were all listless.
After the gathering, Naruto and Sakura walked silently on the street.
Sakura seemed to summon up courage and said: "Naruto, can I ask you for a favor?"
Naruto said: "I know, just rest assured, I will definitely bring Sasuke back!"
Tears welled up in Sakura's eyes: "Thank you!"
Naruto smiled: "We are teammates after all!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the end of the street, attracting Naruto's attention.
Naruto's eyes widened: "That is...?!"
Menma reminded Naruto in the mental world: "Don't make a noise!"
Naruto reacted instantly, smiling and saying to Sakura who hadn't noticed: "Oops, I forgot about Pervy Sage asking me to train!"
Sakura hurriedly said: "Then go quickly, don't keep Lord Jiraiya waiting."
After saying goodbye, Naruto quietly chased after the figure disappearing at the end of the street. Not long after, the two sneaked out of the village one after another, heading east all the way.
After getting far away from the village, Naruto shouted from behind: "Sasuke, wait for me!"
Undoubtedly.
The figure appearing at the end of the street just now was none other than Sasuke.
After hearing the test given by Shinji, he immediately rushed to Konoha. Because he had served as a member of the Konoha Military Police Force before and knew the patrol layout in the village, he easily bypassed the village guards and found Naruto walking on the street.
Also precisely because it was Sasuke, Naruto didn't raise an alarm in the village but chased after him silently.
Glancing sideways at Naruto shouting behind him, Sasuke snorted lightly, not stopping his steps, continuing to speed forward.
After a long time, the two arrived in front of a waterfall.
Looking at the huge stone statues on both sides of the waterfall, Sasuke was somewhat puzzled. He didn't understand why Shinji suggested he fight Naruto here. But since Shinji mentioned it, he led Naruto here according to the request.
Swish...
Accompanied by the sound of breaking air, Naruto landed beside Sasuke, also looking at the stone statues on both sides of the waterfall.
Naruto pointed to the stone statue on one side: "Is that the First Hokage?"
"Yes, the stone statue on the right carves the First Hokage, and the stone statue on the left carves our Uchiha clan's senior Madara Uchiha!" Pausing, Sasuke continued: "Because Madara and the First fought here back then, finally establishing the pattern of the Ninja World, this place is called the 'Valley of the End', implying the place ending the troubled times!"
Naruto said seemingly understanding: "So that's how it is!"
Sasuke looked at Naruto: "Naruto, there should also be an end between us!"
Naruto said: "Sasuke, turn back! Everyone in the village is waiting for you, don't be obstinate anymore!"
"Turn back?!" Sasuke was stunned, then curled the corner of his mouth, teasing: "Being persuaded by an idiot like you is really a strange experience! Forget it, let's not waste breath, let's fight! Heard you became a lot stronger recently, let me see if you really became stronger!"
Naruto said: "If I beat you, you come back to the village with me!"
Sasuke's face darkened, snorting coldly: "You don't really think you can beat me, do you? To tell you the truth, I have now regained all my power. Beating you takes no effort at all!"
Menma reminded again in the mental world at this time: "The opponent has joined the Akatsuki. You have to be careful he is coming for the Nine-Tails!"
"I won't lose!"
Naruto declared loudly, responding to both Sasuke and Menma.
Sasuke frowned slightly. Although not knowing why, he felt an indomitable momentum from Naruto.
And influenced by Naruto's momentum, his competitiveness was also aroused: "Looks like following Jiraiya indeed made you improve a lot. But this ends here! Today I will make you re-recognize what Uchiha is!"